Haley Joel Osment

Osment proved he was more than a cute sitcom actor in "Bogus" (1996), playing a newly orphaned boy who communicates with the titular imaginary character (Gerard Depardieu). In a role that could have devolved into cloying cuteness, he kept it real and believable, proving an effective scene partner for both Depardieu and Whoopi Goldberg (as his new guardian). Osment went on to deliver a sterling turn as a troubled youngster who seemingly possesses psychic abilities in the thriller "The Sixth Sense" (1999). Even those critics who had problems with the film praised the youngster's performance and he was rewarded with an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor.